On Wednesday 4th March, members of the K2 Brazil and K2 US teams headed to the São Paulo district of Parelheiros to visit the K2 Foundation-funded school.
The new school, which opened its doors in January last year, was built as a replacement for an existing neighbourhood school which had fallen into disrepair. A much-needed resource for children and young people in the local community, the school was designed to provide a modern, well-equipped space for pupils to play, learn and grow.
As well as classrooms, the school has a dining room, washing facilities, recreation rooms, a nursery, and a rooftop garden. The 173 children currently enrolled at the school span a wide range of ages and have varying educational needs. With Founders Tia Mônica and Tia Selma pledging to never turn a child away, they have created a sanctuary within which local children can find the joy, safety and educational opportunity that they might otherwise have missed out on.
As part of K2 and the K2 Foundation’s ongoing commitment to support the school, Financial and Admin Coordinator, Ana Paduan, who has been one of the Leads on the project since its inception, makes regular site visits to check in with Mônica, Selma, the volunteers and the children. On her most recent trip to the school, Ana was accompanied by Brazil Country Director, Dora Sayegh, and Account Manager, Magisel Rivera-Ramos, who was visiting from K2’s Houston office.
Upon their arrival, the K2 guests were treated to a song and were invited to join in with special celebrations for all the children with upcoming birthdays. They also spent some time working alongside the children in the rooftop vegetable garden, planting new seedlings of kale, corn, parsley and chives which, once grown, will be used in their meals.
Magisel, who had not had the opportunity to visit the school before now, comments:
“Visiting the school left me with a mix of emotions that is hard to put into words. In such a short time, I laughed, cried, felt deep sadness, and overwhelming joy. Even the next day, my heart felt incredibly heavy. Hearing about the life-altering trauma some of these children have experienced is one thing, but meeting them in person is something entirely different. Looking into their little faces, seeing some smiling brightly (missing teeth and all) and others carrying visible sadness in their eyes, was profoundly humbling.”
Magisel continues:
“I am incredibly proud to work for the company that built this school and am in awe of every volunteer who shows up, gives their time and helps offer these children a second chance at life. The experience of visiting the school will stay with me forever.”
If you would like to help the K2 Foundation to continue to make a difference to children in the Parelheiros community and beyond, make a donation via JustGiving today.
